Analysis of RNA folding by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under native conditions (native PAGE) is a well-established and versatile method for probing nucleic acid conformation and nucleic acid-protein interactions. Native PAGE has been used to measure RNA folding equilibria and kinetics under a wide variety of conditions. Advantages of this method are its adaptability, absolute determination of reaction endpoints, and direct analysis of conformational hetereogeneity within a sample. Native PAGE is also useful for resolving ligand-induced structural changes.